“Didn’t feel quite right,” Novak Djokovic dubs his Miami Open final upset to Jakub Mensik ‘strange’

Novak Djokovic was denied his 100th ATP title by Jakub Mensik, who scripted history by claiming the 2025 Miami Open.

“Didn’t feel quite right,” Novak Djokovic dubs his Miami Open final upset to Jakub Mensik ‘strange’

Novak Djokovic, Jakub Mensik (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, ATP)

Novak Djokovic will continue his hunt for his 100th ATP title on the clay swing. He had a huge chance of ending his trophy drought in the Miami Open final on Sunday, but Jakub Mensik played better tennis to lift his first ATP title with a 7-6(4), 7-6(4) scoreline.

Momentum kept shifting throughout the match but in the crucial moments, Mensik kept his composure to eke out wins. Following the defeat, Djokovic recalled meeting Mensik for the first time.

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It’s never pleasant to lose, but I have to say that Jakub is one of the few players against whom I am most joyful to fall in a final, to be honest. I met him when he was 15 or 16 years old and invited him to train together in Belgrade.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Mesnik reached a career-best ranking of No.24 on Monday. He also became the first player from the Czech Republic to take home an ATP Masters 1000 since Tomas Berdych claimed the 2005 Paris Masters.

Seeing his evolution is fantastic. Three or four years ago, I already predicted that he would become one of the best in the world, so I am very happy that he is harnessing his potential. It was a strange match, I didn’t feel quite right at any moment.

Novak Djokovic added

Mensik also became the second-youngest man to clinch the Miami Open following Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted the title in 2022 when he was 18 years old. He is also the fourth ATP player after Roberto Carretero, Chris Woodruff, and Albert Portas to claim his first ATP title at a Masters 1000 event.

Nick Kyrgios lauds Jakub Mensik after victory over Novak Djokovic in Miami Open final

Jakub Mensik has tied the head-to-head record with Novak Djokovic to 1-1. Before this tournament, the 24-time Grand Slam champion had knocked the teenager out of the 2024 Shanghai Masters quarterfinals.

Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik (Image via X/#AusOpen)

The match between 37-year-old Djokovic and 19-year-old Mensik was the biggest age gap difference in an ATP Masters 1000 finals. Following the conclusion of the match, Nick Kyrgios expressed his hope to see more special achievements from Mensik.

Mensik is truly something special. Not just to have such composure against the greatest of all time on such a stage, but the fact that he is 19….. this is truly a special kid with plenty of potential to do special things.

Nick Kyrgios wrote on X

Check out his post here:

The Australian won his first match in over two years at this Miami Open. He knocked out Mackenzie McDonald but couldn’t overcome Karen Khachanov in the second round.

Mensik, on the other hand, is now the second highest ranked player from the Czech Republic, surpassing Jiri Lehecka. The World No.24 is only behind 21st-ranked Tomas Machac. Djokovic will continue to sit in the fifth position.

Novak Djokovic was chasing his seventh Miami Open title

Djokovic signed up for the Miami Open for the first time since 2019. He has lifted six titles in the tournament and is tied with Andre Agassi. The last time he emerged as the winner was in 2016 by beating Kei Nishikori.

Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/NovakFanFan)

Djokovic’s next goal is to play well on the clay swing. Last year, the Serb participated in five clay-court events, including the Paris Olympics. He was defeated in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters by Casper Ruud, following which, he suffered a shock exit in the round of 32 at the Italian Open.

Djokovic was eliminated by Tomas Machac in the Geneva Open semifinal before he arrived in Paris for the French Open. He made it to the quarterfinals, but a knee injury forced him to withdraw from his match against Ruud. At the Paris Olympics, however, Djokovic came out on top of Carlos Alcaraz to claim his first gold medal.